After hearing about the well-known Blue Bottle coffee time and time again, I knew I had to try it out for myself. There are two LA locations – one downtown and one in Venice – with a third location coming soon to Echo Park. I stopped by the Venice location while en route to the South Bay for 4th of July festivities I'm happy that I did. The shop on Abbot Kinney is small and intimate and hosts clean, modern, and minimalistic décor. All of the baristas were warm and welcoming and because I was a first-timer, the cashier gladly explained the iced coffee options to me. I decided on the New Orleans – cold brew with cane sugar and milk – and it was pretty dreamy. Not too bitter, not too sweet – just the way I like it. I enjoyed it so much that I even purchased a small carton to go for an afternoon-pick-me-up later that day. The two Blue Bottle locations in LA are as follows: 582 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 or 1103 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291.